Offaly company behind major new agriculture poster campaign

An Offaly agri business is behind a new campaign to remind the public of of agriculture’s critical role in tackling climate change.

J Grennan and Sons of Rath has organised the erection of a largescale new road-side poster along the N7 between the towns of Naas and Kill in Kildare.

The poster points out – in a very graphic way – just Irish agriculture's important role in delivering future food security and mitigating the impact of climate change.

The initiative by J Grennan and Sons was sparked by the recent decision of the Government to set a 25% reduction target in greenhouse gas production levels within agriculture by 2030.

Grennan's say the potential this has to reduce future food output levels in the country is obvious.

“We have taken this step with the full support of many farmers, all of whom believe passionately in the future of Irish agriculture,” confirmed Niall Grennan, the managing director of the Offaly-based feed compounding business.

“They also want consumers to know that agriculture production is a key driver of the Irish economy.”

He added: “Moreover, the industry can and will play a critical role in determining Ireland’s response to climate change.”

According to Grennan, Ireland is one of the most eco-efficient producers of food in the world.

“Dairy and meat are critical parts of the human food chain, despite what some may wish to believe. And its demand is only set to increase due to an ageing and growing global population.”

He added: “Attempting to tackle global warming by reducing food production here only results in an increase in carbon emission levels around the world.

“A case in point is Brazil, a country that is planning an exponential increase in food output on the back of proposals by countries like Ireland to curtail their own levels of agricultural output.

“The reality is that production is just simply transferred to less desirable eco-friendly regions.

“The Irish government and the European Union should think globally about the unintended consequences of their policies.”

The new poster captures the vast wealth of the natural resources available allowing farmers here to produce food of the highest quality: our lush pastures; suitable climate and a nation steeped in a family farming tradition with one of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

“Stipulating policies that have a serious and negative economic impact on the Irish farming sector makes no sense,” Niall Grennan added.

“Irish farmers understand that they must become more sustainable if they want to be a viable business into the future. They also want to work with government in doing so.

“We believe Irish farmers have the potential to be a global example and are the best producers of sustainable food, if adequate government support and funding was available.”

“Government must rapidly re-think its policies and promote, not demote, Irish agriculture if it wants to help in the global battle against climate change.”